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Author Topic: Help!! engine stop and will not start  (Read 15806 times)

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JORAMA57

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Help!! engine stop and will not start
« on: March 17, 2014, 05:12:04 pm »
At a red light engine quit and will not start. I check all cables, tried start fluid and will not start. I also switched the coil and still will not start. Engine turns but will not start.
I filled the tank up and used a bottle of sea foam about 30 miles before the engine quit, never had any issues with sea foam in the past.

I hope to work out this issue and make the car safe and dependable to attend the Daytona show at the end of the month.

Thanks for any feedback.

Fierofool

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2014, 05:17:55 pm »
That's a classic symptom of a failed ignition module.  Starting fluid and still no start would indicate there is no spark signal coming from the module.  Always carry a spare.  Or Two. 
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

JORAMA57

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2014, 05:58:13 pm »
Where is the ignition module located at?

Fierofool

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2014, 06:49:46 pm »
Looking at the distributor cap, you will see a black plastic piece sticking out of the bottom edge.  It will have two harnesses plugged into it.  That is the ignition module.  Access it by removing the distributor cap.  Unclip the two harness, remove the two screws holding the module in place and that will give you a little easier access to the redish-orangish connector on the back of the module.  Unplug it also and remove the module. 

Acquire another and while you're out, go to a Radio Shack store and get some white heat sink grease in a tube.  You should smear this on the metal plate on the bottom of the module before installation.  The module will probably come with a small envelope of clear, but it's not as effective as white. 

Install in reverse order of removal.  Be sure that the pigtail at the back of the module doesn't get pinched underneath the edge of the cap.  You can reduce the chance by twisting the pigtail to make it shorter before connecting it to the module.  If the wire touches the inside of the distributor parts, they're safe because those parts don't move.  Do not overtighten the module screws or the distributor cap screws.  Just snug good with your fingertips on the nut driver or screwdriver. 
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

JORAMA57

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2014, 07:33:32 pm »
Thanks a lot.

I had the car moved by flat bed to a friend's shop and he just called me and said he turned the key and the car started right up.

I will replace the module and follow your set up instructions.

Thanks for the help, I can go to sleep tonight and not have bad dreams about blown engine, ecu, crank, modules, sensors. You know the kind of dreams that keep you up all night.

Sweet dreams to all!!!!

Fierofool

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2014, 08:41:42 pm »
Sometimes the circuits in the modules will make contact again as the module cools.  I reused failed modules over and over, just swapping between them.  Did that for a couple of years.  I heard of someone who's car quit and called a tow truck.  When it got there, the operator started it up and drove it up onto the rollback. 
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

JORAMA57

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2014, 06:47:51 pm »
Replaced the ignition control unit and pick up unit. Both factory originals and they needed to be replaced. I'm amaze the car even ran. The pick up unit was so bad that it disintegrated upon removal. The wires on the ignition module connector pins totally rusted. I still have issue with the idle, replaced the TPS and still get code 22. I have a posting on this issue but if you have any ideas I will appreciate the feedback. I don't think I will be finished before the Daytona show but I will drive another car. I'm so looking forward to meet Fiero owners. I will be ready for next year.

MetalBlue85GT

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2014, 11:45:13 pm »
Where are you located? I am in Acworth, if you are near me I am willing to give it a shot to help.

just let me know - I am raking leaves for Saturday but Sunday I can break away.
Randy ~ of Acworth

JORAMA57

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2014, 06:15:44 am »
Thanks for the offer. I live in Southwest Florida, Ft Myers area. You are welcome to come and enjoy the weather !!!

I really appreciate the offer. Do you have any ideas why I'm having this issue?

Have a great weekend, I'm told that N. Georgia is going to have very nice temperature.

Roger

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Re: Help!! engine stop and will not start
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2014, 09:12:07 am »
At the TPS connector; check to be certain that you have:

1. Good ground connection from the black wire to chassis ground
2. +5 volts from the gray wire to chassis ground (ignition must be on-car does not have to be running)

The ECM may also not have a good ground but I would expect other codes to be set if that were the case.


If all else fails, sacrifice a chicken.
You can't fix stupid but, you can adjust it with a 2x4.